Police react to alleged killing in Cross River APC primaries

By Anita Godfrey

The Police in Cross River State has been accused of being responsible for the bloody catastrophy at the Akpabuyo/Bakassi/Calabar South APC primary for the House of Representatives on Friday.

It was learnt the election which was between the Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr Joseph Bassey and ex-Commissioner for Transport and Marine, Mr Saviour Nyong went bloody on Friday.

A close source stated that one of the aspirants reportely hijacked materials for the primary, a development that provoked supporters of the rival opponent which resulted in a fracas.

The source said, the police from the anti-cultism unit stormed the scene at shot dead suspected persons which led to a serious stampede.

It was alleged that one Emman, a youth leader of ward 7 Calabar South was shot when he rushed to where he parked his vehicle and was begging one of the uniform men to allow him take his vehicle.

Reacting this position, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Irene Ugbo alleged there were hoodlums who came into the venue after the primaries had been concluded. “We did not know their motive. The Suspect in question was with a pistol”.

She narrated, “our men were shot at by the hoodlums and in the process, the police responded, three of our men were wounded and currently receiving treatment.

“We don’t know if the move was politically motivated. Already we have intelligence that they are planning to attack some of our formations including the Anti Cult and kidnapping Squad (ACKS) domiciled inside the cultural Centre”.